Staging: The Great TV Debate

When it comes to staging, there is no item in your home that is as hotly debated as your beloved TV. Now, to be fair, a lot of us these days don't really love our TV that much. For years, people have hidden them in hutches, behind artwork, and more recently behind barn doors. Ours has been banished to a spare bedroom that is now furnished and used solely as a media room, and I know many people who have dedicated media rooms. I have friends who don't even own a TV. Some people just see them as eyesores. So it's not uncommon for a stager or a real estate agent to suggest that you put your TV in storage before you list your home if it happens to be in your living room. 

But is this a good idea?

My answer is: NO. A resounding NO. We stage our homes so that they will show at their bests, but we also have to keep in mind that we want people to be able to imagine themselves living in them. Part of that dream we are selling involves watching football games with friends, Friday night date night at home with a favorite movie, and watching Saturday morning cartoons with children. If your house has a dedicated media room, that's fine, but if it does not, you don't want buyers looking at your house and asking, "But where would we put the TV?" and don't think they won't. I've done it myself--my husband does it more than I do, and I've been to numerous open houses where I've overheard other potential buyers asking this same question. Technology is a major part of our lives right now, and that has to be addressed when listing a home. So save yourself the storage fee, and leave your TV where it is, but don't ignore it.

Make sure it is dusted and spot free before each showing. Turn it off.

If it has a feature that will allow it to act as artwork when not in use, take advantage of it!

If it's winter, leave it on that fireplace video on youtube....

And make sure it is off when the photographer comes to take pictures for your listing. 

With just a little common sense, you can make it a feature, and you won't leave any potential buyers wondering where their TV would fit. Instead they'll be planning their first Superbowl party in their new home.